euco conclusions 15102015

7/23/2019 EUCO Conclusions 15102015

1/7

EUCO 26/15

EN

European Council

Brussels, 16 October 2015(OR. en)

EUCO 26/15

CO EUR 10CONCL 4

COVER NOTE

From: General Secretariat of the CouncilTo: Delegations

Subject: European Council meeting (15 October 2015)

Conclusions

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above

meeting.


2/7

Conclusions 15 October 2015

EUCO 26/15 1

EN

MIGRATION

1. Tackling the migration and refugee crisis is a common obligation which requires a

comprehensive strategy and a determined effort over time in a spirit of solidarity and

responsibility. The orientations agreed by Heads of State or Government on 23 September

focused on the most pressing issues. Their implementation is advancing rapidly, as evidenced

by work undertaken within the Council and by the Commission report of 14 October. This

will be kept under close review, including as concerns the financial pledges and possible

further needs.

2. Today, the European Council set out the following further orientations:

Cooperating with third countries to stem the flows

a) welcomes the joint Action Plan with Turkey as part of a comprehensive cooperation

agenda based on shared responsibility, mutual commitments and delivery. Successful

implementation will contribute to accelerating the fulfilment of the visa liberalisation

roadmap towards all participating Member States and the full implementation of the

readmission agreement. Progress will be assessed in spring 2016. The EU and its

Member States stand ready to increase cooperation with Turkey and step up their

political and financial engagement substantially within the established framework. The

accession process needs to be re-energized with a view to achieving progress in the

negotiations in accordance with the negotiating framework and the relevant Council

conclusions.

The European Council expressed its condolences to the people of Turkey following the

Ankara bomb attack and pledged its support to fight terrorism;


3/7


EUCO 26/15 2

EN

b)

ensure effective and operational follow up to the High-level Conference on the Eastern

Mediterranean/Western Balkans Route, with particular emphasis on the management of

migratory flows and the fight against criminal networks;

c) achieve concrete operational measures at the forthcoming Valletta Summit with African

Heads of State or Government, focusing, in a fair and balanced manner, on effective

return and readmission, dismantling of criminal networks and prevention of illegal

migration, accompanied by real efforts to tackle root causes and to support the African

socio-economic development together with a commitment concerning continued

possibilities for legal migration;

d)

explore possibilities for developing safe and sustainable reception capacities in theaffected regions and providing lasting prospects and adequate procedures for refugees

and their families, including through access to education and jobs, until return to their

country of origin is possible;

e) ask Member States to further contribute to the efforts made to support UNHCR, World

Food Programme and other agencies, as well as to support the EU's Regional Trust

Fund responding to the Syria crisis and the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

Strengthening the protection of the EU's external borders (building on the Schengen

acquis)

f) work towards the gradual establishment of an integrated management system for

external borders;

g) make full use of the existing Frontex mandate, including as regards the deployment of

Rapid Border Intervention Teams;


4/7


EUCO 26/15 3

EN

h)

in accordance with the distribution of competences under the Treaty, in full respect of

the national competence of the Member States, enhance the mandate of Frontex in the

context of discussions over the development of a European Border and Coast Guard

System, including as regards the deployment of Rapid Border Intervention Teams in

cases where Schengen evaluations or risk analysis demonstrate the need for robust and

prompt action, in cooperation with the Member State concerned;

i) devise technical solutions to reinforce the control of the EU's external borders to meet

both migration and security objectives, without hampering the fluidity of movement;

j) welcome the Commission's intention to rapidly present a package of measures with a

view to improving the management of our external borders.

Responding to the influx of refugees in Europe and ensuring returns

k) in accordance with the decisions taken so far, press ahead with the establishment of

further hotspots within the agreed timeframe to ensure the identification, registration,

fingerprinting and reception of applicants for international protection and other migrants

and at the same time ensure relocation and returns. Member States will support these

efforts to the full, in the first place by meeting the calls for expertise from Frontex and

EASO for the Migration Management Support Teams to work in hotspot areas and by

the provision of necessary resources;

l) further to the first successful relocations, proceed rapidly with the full implementation

of the decisions taken so far on relocation as well as our commitments on resettlement

and on the functioning of hotspots;


5/7


6/7


EUCO 26/15 5

EN

Syria and Libya

4. The European Council discussed political and military developments in Syria, including their

impact on migration. The Assad regime bears the greatest responsibility for the

250.000 deaths of the conflict and the millions of displaced people. The European Councilagreed on the need to focus on the fight against DAESH and other UN-designated terrorist

groups in the framework of a united and coordinated strategy and a political process on the

basis of the Geneva Communiqu of 2012. The EU is fully engaged in finding a political

solution to the conflict in close cooperation with the UN and the countries of the region and

calls on all parties involved to work to that effect. There cannot be a lasting peace in Syria

under the present leadership and until the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all

components of Syrian society are addressed. The European Council expressed its concern

about the Russian attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians and the risk of further

military escalation.

5. As regards Libya, the European Council welcomed the announcement made by the UN and

called on all parties to swiftly endorse it. The EU reiterates its offer of substantial political and

financial support to the Government of National Accord as soon as it takes office.


7/7


EUCO 26/15 6

EN

OTHER ITEMS

6.

The European Council took stock of the discussions on the Presidents' report on completing

Europe's Economic and Monetary Union. The European Council reiterates that the process of

completing the Economic and Monetary Union must be taken forward in full respect of the

single market and in an open and transparent manner. The European Council will revert to

these issues at its December meeting.

7.

The European Council was informed about the process ahead concerning the UK plans for an

(in/out) referendum. The European Council will revert to the matter in December.

8. The European Council welcomes the international and independent report, conducted by the

Dutch Safety Board, published on 13 October into the downing of flight MH17 and supports

the ongoing efforts to hold to account those responsible for the downing of MH17, in

accordance with UNSC Resolution 2166.

euco conclusions 15102015

Documents